The Ministry of Rural Development is a major construction and infrastructure-creating ministry, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas. It plays a vital role in building the physical and social infrastructure needed to improve rural quality of life.
Roles & Responsibilities
1. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Flagship rural road construction scheme launched in 2000.
- Aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to all eligible unconnected habitations in rural India.
- MoRD is responsible for:
- Planning, funding, and monitoring construction of rural roads.
- Coordinating with state rural road development agencies (SRRDAs).
- Promoting green technologies and locally sourced materials (fly ash, plastic waste).
Construction Includes:
- Earthen roads, bituminous and concrete pavements
- Small bridges, culverts, drainage systems
- Side shoulders and plantation works
2. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
World’s largest employment guarantee scheme, but also a significant rural construction driver.
- Provides 100 days of wage employment annually through labour-intensive construction.
- Typical construction projects under MGNREGA:
- Rural roads
- Farm ponds, check dams, water harvesting structures
- Village sanitation infrastructure
- Anganwadi centre buildings and school repair
3. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)
A rural housing scheme aiming for “Housing for All”.
- Provides financial support for construction of pucca (permanent) houses with basic amenities.
- Beneficiaries build their own houses using funds and local labour.
- MoRD handles:
- Fund disbursal
- Monitoring quality and progress via AwaasSoft
- Promoting eco-friendly materials and disaster-resistant designs
4. Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation (in collaboration with Jal Shakti Ministry)
- MoRD previously managed the Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin phase (now under Ministry of Jal Shakti).
- Involved in constructing:
- Toilets in rural households
- Community sanitation complexes
- Soak pits and waste disposal structures
5. Digital and Green Construction Push
- Encourages geo-tagging of assets
- Promotes use of drones for monitoring PMGSY roads
- Implements online MIS platforms like OMMAS, NREGASoft, and GeoMGNREGA
6. Collaboration with Other Agencies
MoRD coordinates construction-related works with:
- State Rural Development Departments
- DRDAs (District Rural Development Agencies)
- NIRDPR – National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (capacity building and design support)
7. Construction Standards & Guidelines
- Rural roads are built to IRC SP:20 standards (for low-volume roads).
- Houses under PMAY-G follow disaster-resilient and cost-effective designs.
- Emphasis on community participation, cost efficiency, and local materials.
List of PSUs/Agencies Under Ministry of Rural Development
- National Institute of Rural Development
- Department of Land Resources
- Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation